Environmental Services Specialist Tom Nagawiecki writes that “2012 was an exciting year for waste and recycling in Los Alamos County.” Los Alamos County saw an eight percent decline in residential waste in 2012 and a residential recycling increase of nine percent over 2011.

The county’s attempt to increase business recycling has been less successful.

To incentivize recycling for businesses, churches, schools or apartment complexes, the county council approved sharply reduced rates in August.

The new rates eliminate an $18.20 assessment for each recycling dumpster pickup, which means businesses can set up a recycling dumpster for just $19.05 a month. The monthly recycling roll cart fee was reduced from $20 to $5 per month. The new program also waives the initial set up fee.

The new rates reduce the cost for a collecting a cardboard or mixed recycling dumpster once a week from $1,100 to $229 per year. Some businesses may also be able to eliminate one trash dumpster pickup per week, a savings of approximately $940 per year.

Los Alamos Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals.
The accreditation award recognizes LAMC’s dedication tow continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
Los Alamos Medical Center underwent an unannounced on-site survey in October 2012. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated LAMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
“In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Los Alamos Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” said Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., executive director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend LAMC for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

Anthony Stanford, formerly the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Emergency Operations division leader, was charged with two counts each of assault and battery Monday.

Stanford, 56, of Santa Fe, was charged after he allegedly sexually harassed a female co-worker for several months at the lab.

Lab spokesman Kevin Roark said, “Mr. Stanford is not currently an employee of the laboratory. As general policy, because of employee privacy, the laboratory does not discuss personnel matters.”

Attorney Kate Ferlic, who is representing the woman along with attorney John Day of Santa Fe, said, “To demonstrate the severity of the harassment: it’s a rare thing when the police file criminal charges against the perpetrator.”

Stanford’s attorney Laurie Gallegos said her client retired from the lab last month.

Gallegos said in a written statement, “We understand that information regarding allegations made by an employee of the laboratory, who did not work directly for Mr. Stanford, have been released to the news media.

’Topper Revue will be at 7 p.m. Friday. The performance includes 16 acts, ranging from dance and song to a variety of skits and comedy. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth, available at the door.

A committee appointed to hear public opinion about naming the new municipal building for late State Representative Jeannette Wallace voted unanimously against the proposal Monday.

Forty nine residents either commented or supported comments on the county’s Open Forum. County officials also received more than 70 emails, letters and phone calls and approximately 20 citizens attended two public meetings on the question.

“Los Alamos Municipal Building” received overwhelming support.

Los Alamos resident John Bartlit offered a slight variation on that theme.

“I do not support naming the new public building in town for any person. The opportunity should be used instead to honor and publicize the values of democracy that have served our nation so long and well, namely the unique role that active citizenship has in good governance,” Bartlit said.

“I propose the name it the Los Alamos County Community Town Hall, the Los Alamos Town Hall or Town Hall on Central to commemorate a value that began our nation. Municipal building and town hall are historical synonyms.”

At the second public meeting, Bartlit said that several residents had expressed support for that idea. Councilor Fran Berting said she had also heard support for the town hall name.

The FAN Club Wednesday night was actually a prelude to an event happening on March 16, the Empty Bowls fundraising project, happening at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
The event benefits Self-Help Inc., a not-for-profit organization that helps New Mexico residents through programs that promote self-reliance.
For $15, attendees to the March event can pick out a hand-made bowl created by Self-Help Inc. and enjoy a soup lunch, courtesy of participating local restaurants. There will be a silent auction sponsored by KRSN.
Donations of bread and cookies are needed. If you are interested in helping out, you can call KRSN at 663-1490 and ask for Gillian. If you want to know more about Self Help, log onto selfhelpla.org.
Wednesday’s event featured a variety of empty bowls that will be given away at the March event.

The Northern New Mexico Citizens’ Advisory Board approved three of four draft recommendations at its meeting last week in Pojoaque.
According to NNMCAB spokesman William Alexander, recommendations that passed were:
• Evaluation of storage options for legacy waste that could result from expansion of the WIPP disposal mission;
• Budget that is related to technology research and development for site clean-up; and
• EM-SAAB recommendation that DOE place more emphasis and priority on evaluation of technologies that could make recycling excess materials cost effective.
The NNMCAB also drafted and approved a recommendation regarding the 33 Shafts that are located at LANL, requesting that DOE address the permanent disposition of the 33 Shafts at Material Disposal Area G.
During the public comment period, the NNMCAB heard comments from Jeanne Green on the PF-4 facility, Green provided the board with a memo from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board from Nov. 23, 2012. Green asked that the board look into providing a recommendation on the PF-4 Facility.